Muttiah Muralitharan Recalls Funny Conversation With Ishant Sharma Ahead Of 800th Test Wicket

Muttiah Muralitharan’s record of 800 Test wickets might forever remain unbreached. Muralitharan reached the elusive landmark against India in 2010 during Galle Test in what proved to be his 132nd and final Test. During an Instagram live chat with Ravichandran Ashwin, the retired off-spinner recollected a comical conversation with Ishant Sharma ahead of reaching the milestone.

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Muttiah Muralitharan entered in the first Test of the series with 792 wickets under his belt. The off-spinner announced that he would retire from Test cricket after the opening game and all eyes were on his record. And Murali achieved it comfortably as the hosts also won the match by ten wickets, taking a series lead. He accomplished it by picking up the wicket of Pragyan Ojha.

Give me your wicket and go: Muttiah Muralitharan to Ishant Sharma

As the last partnership of Ishant Sharma and Ojha were out in the middle, Muralitharan hilariously requested Ishant during the water break to start playing shots since it’s the final wicket.

The off-spinner stated that it would give him his much-required 800th scalp and feel glad. Muralitharan added that Ishant did not give away his wicket, but fortunately, Ojha became his victim.

“I didn’t say anything to Pragyan Ojha, I told Ishant Sharma during the water break ‘Ishant, just start playing shots. It’s the last wicket. Despite all this, India is not going to draw or win. Give me your wicket and go. At least I will be satisfied. He didn’t give away his wicket. Luckily, I got the wicket of Pragyan Ojha,” the Kandy-born told Ashwin.

Muttiah Muralitharan would have got you the next ball: Ashwin

Left-arm spinner Ojha, who was Muralitharan’s 800th scalp, mentioned in the dressing room, that he purposely got dismissed by the veteran. In response, the dressing room took a jibe at him that Murali would have got you on the next delivery.

“Ojha said that he gave away his wicket on purpose, considering Murali’s stature and the landmark. Everybody trolled him in the dressing room. Even if you hadn’t ‘purposely’ thrown your wicket away, Murali would have got you the next ball,” Ashwin stated.

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